IBS help appreciated

mavisangelica

trigger2 wrote: »

Hi

I'm reading this with interest as I'm about to embark on a trial of going lactose free to see if it helps my symptoms. I've not been diagnosed, am waiting for a GP appointment, but feel I have either IBS or lactose intolerance. As well as pain, bloating, & occasional nausea, I have been suffering the most ridiculous stomach noises. I mean they can be heard the other side of the office ! This was an occasional thing after a bout of gastroenteritis, but for the past few months has been daily.

Does anyone else suffer from these loud stomach noises ? And if so what do you find affects you or helps you.

Regards

Trigger

I have suffered with loud stomach noises since I was at school (mid 40's now).

My IBS is partly triggered by stress. I don't feel stressed but it mainly flares when I travel away for work or in a meeting. If I am just sat in the office (normal day to day) then it generally doesn't happen unless I eat certain foods - fruit and chocolate guarantee problems. At home I don't suffer at all.

The stomach noises happen if I am in a meeting or any time where it is quiet, and, of course, the more you try and hide it, the more noisy it is.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My tummy regularly makes noises & of course it's embarrassing.

rising_from_the_ashes

floss2 wrote: »

OP, have you started a food & symptom diary - write down everything you eat or drink every day with times, and also write down any symptoms / changes / effects, also with times. Then you may start to see some patterns and triggers.

I have Crohn's (like IBS diet can play a huge part in controlling symptoms/flare ups).

A food diary is an absolute must - and everything needs to go in it.

Yes, it does take a while to be able to see patterns - and longer to eliminate 1 thing and see if it makes a difference but ..... it's worth it.

I switched to lactofree milk around a year ago - I have very little dairy anyway as it is a known "no no" for Crohn's etc but as wheat is one of my big triggers, I was really struggling especially at breakfast time - and you would not believe the difference it's made

alec_eiffel wrote: »

My DH has a bowel disorder and for us it is just trial and error. His mum has the same thing and the list of foods she can eat is totally different to DH.

2nd this - DF also has Crohn's and one of us can eat xx which would have the other ill for a week! (and vice versa).

rising_from_the_ashes

butler_helen wrote: »

What would a typical meal be for you guys? I'm still working out what I think my triggers might be - do far alcohol and spice are on the list.

Things that always set me off are dairy (known with Crohn's as noted above), tomatoes (lethal!), beef, wheat (can have a very limited amount eg could have a roll at lunchtime but if I had pasta at night or toast in the morning as well I'd be suffering) and too many veg to mention!

I stick to mainly chicken meat wise and for veg, I find the "roots" (eg swede, carrots, potatoes) are fine and I always use leeks instead of onions.

When I'm having a "settled" time, I can have the odd thing I shouldn't IYKWIM but when things are bad, it's a really limited diet - I have been known to live on scrambled egg & pancakes for a month!

Waffle_On

I try to look on the bright side... tummy noises are less embarrassing than bottom noises!

After a bout of gasteronteritis, temporary dairy intolerance is quite common. I had it as a child. Nowadays they recommend avoiding dairy for 3 months after.

Chicken and white rice are meant to be the sort of foods that generally avoid any kind of flare up. Personally I find anything high fibre a bit of a problem when I'm suffering. I don't have trouble with dairy any more, so if I don't feel I can eat I have a slim fast shake, then at least I'm getting a few nutrients.

I haven't been having any major symptoms just lately, but interestingly I just started on Slimming World, and touch wood, even my minor symptoms seem to be the best they've been in years!